Shemmassian Academic Consulting
In the world of college admissions consulting, Shemmassian Academic Consulting is known for its in-depth services and comprehensive counseling packages. They’ve achieved a lot of success for clients, but are they the right option for you? Here’s an in-depth review of what Shemmassian Academic Consulting offers and how it compares to other top companies.
Shemmassian Academic Consulting was founded roughly 20 years ago by Dr. Shirag Shemmassian, who earned his PhD from UCLA and graduated from Cornell University with a 3.9 GPA despite struggling with mental health challenges. He used his own struggles and success to shape Shemmassian’s mission of providing clear, supportive guidance to students aiming for competitive colleges.
Shemamassion specializes in comprehensive college counseling packages that answer any question you may have and guide you through every step of the college application process. While many college admissions consultants have all-in-one packages, they generally have limits as to how many video calls you have with your advisor, how many times they’ll edit your personal statements, etc. Shemasassion’s packages offer unlimited strategic advising time and unlimited edits to personal statements and activities sections. They also have 24-48 hour turnaround times for most services so your child can get feedback quickly. Higher-priced packages also include bonuses such as interview coaching, waitlist letter preparation, and appeal letter preparation.
Shemmassian Academic Consulting is especially known for its premed, BS/MD, and medical school admissions expertise. Their focus is on helping students create compelling narratives, select strong extracurriculars, and present themselves as standout applicants to top colleges. Over 90% of Shemmassian’s clients get into at least one of their top three colleges.
Services Offered
College Admissions Consulting
- Highschool class planning
- Extracurricular strategy
- Summer program selection
- College list building
- Personal statement and supplemental essay editing
- Application strategy and timeline management
- Capstone project support
- Interview prep
- Waitlist strategy and appeals
Specialty Admissions Services
- BS/MD program applications
- Pre-med planning during high school
- Medical school admissions (including AMCAS and secondaries)
- Graduate school admissions (PhD, PsyD, law school, and more)
Locations
Shemmassian Academic Consulting is fully remote and works with students worldwide via Zoom and other online platforms. There are no in-person offices.
Pricing
Shemmassian offers two tiers of college admissions packages: Premium and Ivy. Both include unlimited email access, 48-hour essay turnaround times, capstone project support, and course selection help. The Premium plan offers support for 1 scholarship/summer program each year, while the Ivy plan offers support for 3 each year. Additionally, the Premium plan includes one 30-minute phone/video call a month, while the Ivy plan includes one 60-minute phone/video call a month. The Premium plan costs $9,999 for a year of advising. The price for the Ivy package isn’t listed online, but expect it to cost $15,000-$20,000 or more a year.
Shemmassian offers a free initial consultation call to discuss goals and pricing options with potential clients.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
Bottom Line: Is Shemmassian Consulting Right for You?
Shemmassian Academic Consulting is a strong option for high-achieving students, especially those targeting Ivy League schools or BS/MD programs. Their team is highly experienced, and their step-by-step consulting process achieves results.
If your student prefers more flexible support or is targeting less selective colleges, the time intensity and cost of Shemmassian may not be necessary, but if your student is self-motivated and aiming for top-tier schools, Shemmassian’s hands-on coaching and structured process can give them a major edge. The company’s strengths are in helping students build compelling narratives that set them apart from their peers and help them get into top colleges.